I've realized that the whole of my life, at least this week, can be summarized entirely by glimpses of just one room in my home - my kitchen.
We talk more and more about the unnecessary space we have, about the simple truth that most of our living happens in just a couple of rooms.
It's not that everything's eternally rosy in the kitchen. It's got its Dark Chocolate moments along with some soggy broccoli moments, to be sure.
Look to your left and you'll probably see this.
Look to your right, and the scene doesn't improve a single bit.
But the trick is, keep looking. Don't stop for too long on the dirty dishes or the box of diapers worth its weight in gold. Look past it, because there's more.
If grocery day means that my kitchen is a wreck? Well, I'll take a messy kitchen every single week, thankyouverymuch. I'll not complain about $1 pineapples and the limitless virtues of the ordinary lemon.
And it may be true that my table is so covered with paint and marker that I long ago gave up trying to remove it...
But I'll celebrate these people every chance I get, so pass me the blue, along with the widest brush you can find. Heck, get the glitter out.
Show me a cooped-up afternoon and I'll show you Pig Patrol, on display now for six days running.
In case you hadn't noticed, I'm having a bit of a moment around here. Maybe it's the birthdays or maybe it's the coming-nearer flutter of Spring. Maybe it's the memory of where I was exactly one year ago. Maybe it's my Girl saying the Lord's Prayer all on her own while I tucked her into bed. Maybe it's Truth raining down on all sides.
I think it's a little bit of everything, boxed up and tied with baker's twine.
It's the best dinner ever, with left-overs for tomorrow.
It's the best dinner ever, with left-overs for tomorrow.
Savor every moment. WHen it all stays perfect it will mean those little sweeties are all grown up and since I am in that new stage I would say I would rather have the "mess" : )
ReplyDelete$1.00 pineapples seriously (I need to shop with you)
Amens sister. Pass the left overs and slice that pineapple. Tomorrow is going to be a stellar day.
ReplyDeleteamen! ENJOY those kitchen moments, they fly by too quickly!
ReplyDeletehave fun celebrating these coming special days-you have such a darling family! xo
(needed this post tonight, i am so thankful for you!)
Oh I needed this.
ReplyDeleteAnd the best thing about left overs? They are so much better the second time around - after the flavors have had a chance to get acquainted with one another, there in your refrigerator, all sealed up in a Tupperware container. Life is good, my friend. Oh yes it is!
You had me signing up for your summer camp with my thick red Sharpie- until you mentioned the cursed glitter. Oh Shannan, we could have had such good times. Sigh.
ReplyDeletei just posted the other day about my favorite room in the house! mine is the dining room (where we also homeschool). i love the tin blacksplash. did you guys put that in?
ReplyDeleteLook past it, because there's more. I just scribbled that down on a notepad in the dark. I need to remember that. Cross stitch it on a sampler or something. And boy howdy, yes! By all means--get the glitter out! Rich stuff here.
ReplyDeleteI so agree that I can gauge the state of my affairs in general by how much of the countertop I can see in the kitchen. Mine are usually piled with folded laundry I don't want to put away instead of inspiring fresh ingredients like you've got there.
ReplyDeleteI just started reading your blog a bit ago and didn't realize your boys are Korean. My family and I spent a year and a half in Seoul working with a Korean company to begin their English school. We loved, loved Seoul, and I loved reading about your time there! How fun!
ReplyDeleteThe kitchen really IS the heart of a home - especially with kids. And I want me some of those $1 pineapples! (Oh, and that white bowl to the right? Same set in my kitchen - love those bowls!) Hope tomorrow is another sweet kitchen day! Becky G.
ReplyDeleteI love this post. I love that you see the spirit of what home is all about, it is very encouraging and inspiring!
ReplyDeleteYou have great light in your kitchen. I didn't even notice the dishes on the counter until a second glance. That's how my kitchen always looks (well, unless I'm having company over and then I try to make it look presentable!). I wish I had more natural light in my house. Cute lego car with the pig. That also looks like my house. Boy, do those little plastic pieces hurt when you step on them!
ReplyDeleteFirst, where in the world can one get $1 pineapples??
ReplyDeleteAnd the table, well I think thats the real reason tablecothes were invented. You can use the table to your heart's desire and if company is coming you throw a tablecloth on it!
~Chris
I received a stern scolding from my mother today on the subject of what I should have been cleaning instead of what I was busy doing! Let's see make dinosaur tails for my 2 year old twin boys or clean my pig sty truck? Honestly, the smiles on those happy little faces were all the encouragement I needed!
ReplyDeleteHere's a cheer for messed up messes and happy children!
you say it best!
ReplyDeletePineapples are $1.29 this week at Aldi. (I rounded down.) ;)
ReplyDeleteWhere there be no ox - the crib done be stayin' clean. Blessed are the oxen - for they shall glow with the glitter of all that is good and right in the world.
ReplyDeleteSorry. I took Benadryl an hour ago.
smiles. beautiful little touches through out your day/life...love the celebrating of people and a great sign for daddy...my boys love to paint....
ReplyDeleteLove all the living going on in your kitchen! As my mother always says, "There will be plenty of time for a tidy house when they're grown!" (not that your house isn't tidy - your kitchen is a beautiful backdrop of real life goings-on with sweet little people.)
ReplyDeleteMy mouth is watering which is no mean feat because you've got me giggling!
ReplyDeleteI loved the pig patrol but truly delighted in 'Daddy' holding his artistic treasures.
What a wonderful space your kitchen is,
Felicity xx
You write beautifully, what a gift you have:)
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, as always.
ReplyDeletePig Patrol really made my day. I thank you.
I lived with my sister and nephew when I first moved back to MN from AZ. He was about 9 months old. There were baby bottles and sippy cups all over near the sink. He's 8 now and I miss all of those bottles and cups and tops....
Your writing is a gift. Thanks for sharing it with all of us.
Peace out. :-)
Love the idea of so much of life being the a great dinner and the memories of it, as you describe them, being left-overs for tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI found you at Imperfect Prose
I love this - especially the pig patrol. Not long ago I did a similar post with my son's GI Joes around our picture frames in our study. We are crazy about our family, and I can tell you are too :) Your newest fan, XOLaura
ReplyDeleteWe live in our kitchen, too, but no pineapples for less than $5.
ReplyDeletegloria
This is beautiful.... because there is so much beauty all around us if we just open our eyes and look for it.
ReplyDeleteThis piece was so beautifully written. I pray I'm thankful for all the 'messes' I have.... cause I know that a couple of blinks, and they're gone. Time marches relentlessly on. Let us take hold of every moment and enjoy.
Thank you so much x
LOVE IT! If a table isn't covered with marks left by the people that live there them it must be in the formal dinning room of a very boring house.
ReplyDeleteI love it. You have a way of validating the beauty and wonder of day to day life with my little people. I wouldn't trade these "ordinary" days and I know you wouldn't either. Even the dark chocolate days. I always look forward to reading your posts. Your perspective and wit never fail to brighten and enlighten! Thank you for that. ~Kristi
ReplyDeleteYou make Dark Chocolate Days sound attractive. I had to think twice to realize that having a bunch of those days does not mean good things are happening!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful, beautiful life! Love that Daddy picture and the wonderful paint mess. The best kitchen table is one stained and scarred with craft projects.
ReplyDelete~That kitchen looks like mine
ReplyDelete~the piles that is,i wish I had that tin tile!!!
~you really do make me wonder if we were separated at birth
~not that we look a like,
~I WISH LOL!!!
~such a happy post
~cheerio xx
I'm sure there are many more happy memories to come in that adorable kitchen! So take it in and enjoy the little things! Which you seem to be doing so well. Loved the pig patrol! My son was into legos so big we had many a displays too! Traci
ReplyDeleteThat's how I always feel. I currently have MY art supplies spread all over one length of the kitchen counters. And we don't have kids toys all over, but at some point during the day, our little dog drags every single one of her toys out of the box.
ReplyDeleteLove it! Glad I'm not the only with lego displays.
ReplyDelete-FringeGirl
i have that same backsplash faux tin tile in my kitchen. great minds think alike. love your gratitude in this post. i've been in a funk...sad for no real reason. makes me happy to see the joy in your life.
ReplyDeleteMy sister is of the impression our house is ALWAYS clean because it always happens to be when she's here. Little does she know.
ReplyDeleteAlso - love the pig patrol.
You are so sweet and so is your kitchen. And your family.
ReplyDeleteI agree---most of our living is done in just a few places in our home. That's why we didn't fuss about building huge bedrooms for any of us. Didn't want to waste space on places to sleep! Much more important to have an open kitchen-dining-living area, complete with a staircase that you run around over and over and over again.
ReplyDeleteI think I need to head to Aldi's today. I thought my pineapple for $2.50 yesterday was good, but $1.29! Aldi's used to intimidate me---the whole you have to bring cash, and remember a quarter to rent a cart, and remember bags too...but now that there are no babies in carriers, and everyone can walk and listen, I think we'll have more success.
a couple of things...
ReplyDeletea)i love the kitchen. it's my favorite room.
b)i'm ready for fresh/ roasted cauliflower from the farm.
c)and now i'm hungry.
What a beautifully written post. I truly enjoy your blog. We will hopefully be bringing our baby boy home from Korea in a few months and I cannot wait for a messy kitchen!
ReplyDeleteI have always heard that the heart of the home, where everything happens, good and bad, is the kitchen. The gathering place. Loved your post, got alittle misty and then smiled. :-)
ReplyDeletep.s. props to Aldi...we love it!
-Heather P.
Wonderful as always, Shannan. :) Love this.
ReplyDeletethis was lovely. I've never visited before.
ReplyDeleteSo true, especially in light of everything that is going on in Japan. Food, clean air, clothing, all of it...so easy to take for granted, but all of it is such a gift.
My kitchen counters are always cluttered/a mess even though I try to combat it. Seems a losing battle during this phase of mommyhood, so I might as well appreciate the joys of the semi-chaos.
ReplyDeleteMy whole house ends up like a disater... plenty of space too much stuff and living :) Gotta love it! The fruit and veggies look so fresh and sweet
ReplyDeleteI always love your analogies. Just perfect. Thanks for the look into your day. :)
ReplyDeletesolidarity: i sometimes imagine that with enough sleeping bags and a port-a-potty, we could pretty much live in just the kitchen.
ReplyDeletei'm all-out smitten with your life.
And now I have an overwhelming urge to hop in my car and come sit at your island while I watch you make me The Fun Salad. Yes please. I should be there just in time for lunch.
ReplyDeleteIn 20 years, the messy kitchen will be, but a memory. But the time with your family will be burned on your heart.
ReplyDeleteBut I'll celebrate these people every chance I get, so pass me the blue, along with the widest brush you can find. Heck, get the glitter out.
ReplyDeletethis made me cry. deep inside my soul for all of the truth in this post, for the inexpensive delicious fruit, for the love-mess, for the little ones that make it... oh girl. we are so rich. so rich. ((thank you for linking))
Am I seeing the most recent Everyday Food recipe at the end??? I was wondering if I should make this? I just read it today and thought, hmmm...that looks good.... so if you say it is, I'm going to make it.It looks just like the photo from the magazine! That's how I recognized it!
ReplyDeletePS That Calvin bday post was beautiful. The shrimp cheetos were hilarious. I just cried my eyes out thinking about him thinking about his birth Mom remembering his birthday.
so perfectly imperfect. love this post and the reminder it brings. thank you for that and thank you for being you.
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